5 tourist destinations not to be missed when traveling in Vientiane (Laos)

Wat Si Muang

Buddhist culture and Buddhism have been deeply rooted in the thoughts, leaving clear marks in the lives of Lao people. Not only in the characteristics of ancient pagodas and towers, the yellow robes of monks, but Buddhism has also become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of Lao people. From architecture, art to painting, sculpture, from language, writing to literature, poetry; from costumes, cuisine to beliefs, festivals all bear the mark of Buddhism.

Wat Si Muang is a famous sacred temple in Laos.

The temple was built in 1563 with typical Lao architecture, mixed with Thai architecture. Wat Si Muang attracts a large number of local Buddhists, as well as foreign tourists to visit, pray for peace and good things in life. Lao people believe that if you pray for good things at the temple and make a promise, your wish will come true, so you must keep your promise when praying at the temple.

Pha Keo Pagoda (Ho Pha Keo)

Pha Keo Pagoda, also known as Ho Pha Keo, is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital of the country of Vientiane. The temple was built by King Setthathirat in 1565 to house the jade Buddha statue. Pha Keo Pagoda is now not only for Buddhists to worship Buddha but also a large museum that preserves many Buddhist works and many vivid Buddha statues carved in stone, artifacts made of gold, silver, and jade are preserved in the temple.

Ho Pha Keo.

Pha Keo Pagoda is also a unique architectural work of Laos when it was built on a stone foundation. The structure above the stone foundation is carved and decorated very impressively, you can see the delicate lines right on the walls, columns and ceiling of the temple. Running along the stairs to the temple is a dragon carved delicately from stone. On the windows and large doors are also decorated with statues of the goddess Apsara... Inside are delicate details and decorative motifs. The palaces of Pha Keo Pagoda are decorated with bronze Buddha statues. The garden around the temple is also beautifully decorated.

Buddha Garden (Wat Xieng Khuan)

Located about 24km from the capital Vientiane, the Buddha Garden is famous for its unique Buddhist statues, becoming a quiet spiritual tourist destination of Laos, the Buddha statues are located along the Mekong River, creating a giant ink painting, making visitors feel peaceful and quiet.

The giant reclining Buddha statue is 40m long

The Buddha statue garden began construction in 1962 and was completed in 1971 with nearly 300 statues of humans, gods, animals, and demons, each representing a harmonious blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. The statues have great significance and profound humanistic values ​​toward Buddhism and have a completely unique style, meticulously and elaborately carved in different shapes, expressing the uniqueness of the culture of the land of a million elephants. All of them demonstrate the ingenuity and talent of the artisans and the development of architecture, fine arts, and sculpture, representing the creative talent of the arts, creating an extremely lively statue garden.

With rustic cement material, over many decades, moss traces are imprinted on the statues, adding to the mysterious, ancient, and unique look. Large and small statues are scattered among the garden and trees, placed individually and in clusters and have a breathtaking view of the Mekong River, most prominent in the middle of the garden is the giant reclining Buddha statue measuring 40m long with a gentle, tolerant expression.

Pha That Luang

Pha That Luang. Photo: Souly Vilaath

Pha That Luang is an iconic Buddhist structure of Laos. Built in 1566 on the foundation of a temple to worship the tutelary god of Vientiane from the 13th century; after a long time, in 1930, That Luang was directly restored by a French architect. The base of That Luang tower is 8100m2 wide (each side is 90m) and is designed like a lotus blooming with golden petals in all four directions. Each side of the tower base has 7 small towers, on the walls of the tower base are decorated with lotus flowers and Bodhi leaves. Pha That Luang has many steps, each representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest step represents matter and the highest represents space. This is a proud historical architectural work of the Lao people.

Patouxay

Patouxay

Patouxay được người dân đất nước triệu voi ví như khải hoàn môn của thành phố. Công trình được xây dựng để vinh danh những chiến sĩ trong cuộc kháng chiến chống Pháp của nhân dân Lào. Patouxay nằm giữa trục đường chính của con đường đẹp nhất thủ đô, nơi dù bạn đi từ bất kỳ hướng nào cũng có thể nhận ra nó từ xa.